Following a frenetic early 10 minutes, the game has slowed down a little, and that change in tempo has suited Derby a little bit more.

Image source, Getty Images

Rather like a sighting of snow on Christmas Day, you don’t often see Millwall endure back-to-back defeats in the Championship.

However, that was the unwanted gift presented to Alex Neil as his side followed up their home loss to Hull by succumbing 2-0 at Blackburn last weekend – a performance the Lions boss labelled "arguably as poor as it’s been".

It’s the first time Millwall have lost successive games since Neil took charge almost a year ago and the south Londoners’ grip on a top-six place will be extremely fragile if that pair of defeats becomes a trio this afternoon.

The good news for Neil, though, is that visitors Ipswich, who are two points and three places above them in third, have begun to look distinctly flaky on the road in recent weeks.

Having gained momentum during November with successive 4-1 wins at QPR and Swansea, then a 2-0 success over Hull at the MKM Stadium, the Tractor Boys have now harvested just one point from their past three away games.

With that said, Town’s recent record against Millwall is a strong one – they’ve won five of the past eight meetings between the sides, including a resounding 4-0 triumph when they visited The Den en route to promotion in 2024.

Demarai Gray is unable to continue and has to be replaced by Liverpool loanee Lewis Koumas.

Early blow for the home side.

A beautifully shaped cross from the right by Joe Ward finds Patrick Agyemang in the box but the American gets his header wrong and it goes out for a goal-kick - that was a good opportunity for Agyemang on around the penalty spot.

Meanwhile, Birmingham winger Demarai Gray goes down under his own volition and this looks like a problem for the home side.

A terrific corner from Demarai Gray causes problems in the Derby penalty area but Matt Clarke is strong and heads the ball over his own crossbar.

The following corner is more easily dealt with by the Rams.

Patrick Roberts on the right hand side is causing all sorts of problems early on and gets to the Derby byeline but his pull back is intercepted and the visitors clear their lines.

Daz Hale
BBC Radio WM

A sensational ball, the vision, the weight of the pass from Paik, and then the pace and strength from Demarai Gray, a lick of paint away from what would have been one of the goals of the season.

Blues have found their tempo, they're starting to control the game.

So close for Demarai Gray.

An incisive pass from Paik Seung-ho finds Gray on the inside left channel and the Birmingham winger cuts inside before hitting the inside of the near post.

Birmingham very unlucky not to open the scoring early on.

Image source, PA Media

Derby striker Patrick Agyemang shows lovely feet to beat his man and fire the ball into the box but Birmingham clear the danger

At the other end, Patrick Roberts' strike is deflected and Demarai Gray is a whisker away from turning the ball home.

Lively start at both ends to this lunchtime kick-off.

Early problem for Derby's Rhian Brewster who grimaces following a 50-50 challenge but he looks like he will try and run that one off.

We are under way on Boxing Day in the Championship!

Let's hope for lots of goals to tell you about over the course of the next seven hours or so.

Image source, BBC Sport

Birmingham City boss Chris Davies makes five changes from the starting line-up that lost comprehensively at Sheffield United.

Goalkeeper James Beadle returns between the sticks, while there are also starts for Brighton loanee Eiran Cashin against his former club, as well as Marc Leonard, Patrick Roberts and Marvin Ducksch.

Derby boss John Eustace makes just the single alteration from the draw with Portsmouth last Saturday.

Dion Sanderson is ineligible to face his parent club and is replaced in the heart of defence by Danny Batth.

Image source, BBC Sport

What are your thoughts on today's Boxing Day fare? A sumptuous feast or tired leftovers?

Maybe you have some standout memories of Christmas football past to share?

Let us know, using the Get Involved button!

Image source, Shutterstock

The good news for Birmingham City today is they are back at home.

Their 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United was their eighth defeat already on the road this term as they seek home comforts at Christmas time in their penultimate match at St Andrew's in 2025.

Blues have won 17 matches at home this calendar year and need one more to equal a club record achieved in 2000 under the stewardship of then boss Trevor Francis.

Their opponents this lunchtime, Derby County, battled back to claim a point against Portsmouth last Saturday and come into today having won back-to-back matches on Boxing Day.

The Rams have not claimed three consecutive victories on this day since 1958 but another three points would take the visitors to within touching distance of the play-off places ahead of today's 3pm kick-offs as head coach John Eustace returns to the club which decided to part company with him, to the shock of most Blues fans, back in October 2023.

BBC Local Radio

You can follow your side's match via your local radio station but, unfortunately, it will not be available online today.

However, we will be "around the grounds" this afternoon on 5 live which you will be able to find on the Watch & Listen tab.

We will also have the best of all of today's action in text form just right here so there is no need to go anywhere this afternoon!

Birmingham v Derby (12:30 GMT)

Millwall v Ipswich (13:00 GMT)

Coventry v Swansea (15:00 GMT)

Leicester v Watford (15:00 GMT)

Middlesbrough v Blackburn (15:00 GMT)

Norwich v Charlton (15:00 GMT)

Oxford v Southampton (15:00 GMT)

Portsmouth v QPR (15:00 GMT)

Sheffield Wed v Hull (15:00 GMT)

Stoke v Preston (15:00 GMT)

West Brom v Bristol City (15:00 GMT)

Wrexham v Sheffield Utd (17:30 GMT)

Image source, Shutterstock

The presents have been opened, the turkey has been cooked and eaten, and England have collapsed in the cricket... again.

The last 24 hours may have left you stuffed but we hope you've still got an appetite for some Championship football.

All 24 second-tier clubs are in action across a typically hectic Boxing Day and we will be with you for over the next eight hours or so to bring you all the details.

Without further ado, let's get into it, shall we....